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Comparing Last Years Toronto Maple Leafs Opening Night Roster to This Years

By Lucas Bolt

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 3: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes the ice during player introductions on opening night before playing the Montreal Canadiens at the Scotiabank Arena on October 3, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 3: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs takes the ice during player introductions on opening night before playing the Montreal Canadiens at the Scotiabank Arena on October 3, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Training camp is fast approaching as the Leafs take their first skate.

As training camp is upon us, the Toronto Maple Leafs are getting into full stride of a long season ahead with battles about to begin for the opening night roster.

Although the month of September has just started this is prime time for the Leafs to get into the best shape possible before puck drop.

This years Toronto Maple Leafs team will have some notable subtractions, but that is to go along with some high caliber additions.

The trades and signings made this off-season will not only change the face of the team, but will also give them the edge to compete against Boston and Tampa.

2018-2019 Opening Night Roster

Last year was the beginning of having one of the most lethal 1-2 punches down the middle of the ice.  After signing John Tavares the Toronto Maple Leafs could roll out two of the best centers in the world on  two separate lines. This is to go along with Kadri a previous two-time 30 goal scorer,which made the Leafs have the deepest center depth in the league.

Here is the roster that Mike Babcock sent out for the first game of last season:

Forwards:

Marleau-Matthews-Ennis

Hyman-Tavares-Marner

Leivo-Kadri-Brown

Johnsson-Lindholm-Kapanen

Defence:

Rielly-Hainsey

Gardiner-Zaitsev

Dermott-Ozhiganov

Goalie:

Andersen

The notable missing piece was Nylander due to his contract dispute.

This forward group was one of the best in the league, however the PP didn’t hold up to what was expected of them.

Here is the predicted lineup for the 2019-2020 team:

Forwards:

Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander

Moore-Tavares-Marner

Mikheyev-Kerfoot-Kapanen

Agostino-Spezza-Petan

Defence:

Rielly-Ceci

Muzzin-Barrie

Marincin-Holl/Schmaltz/Harpur

Goalie:

Andersen

The notable missing pieces are  Hyman and Dermott who are both on the I.R

When the Marner saga come to an end that will set how the lines will look. If he doesn’t sign before opening night the Tornonto Maple Leafs  have a plethora of wingers to fill spots in the lineup ranging from big and heavy like korshkov or a high flier like Petan. Only time will tell.

The main components can still be seen from the teams including the likes of Matthews, Tavares, Rielly, Freddy. Due to cap issues a lot of the wingers have changed to try and fit the core pieces under the new league cap ceiling of 81.5 mil.

As for the defense, on the opening night there will be five new d-man to take control of the Toronto Maple Leafs backend. As seen in the first skate pairings of Rielly, Ceci, and Muzzin, Barrie were seen, as to no surprise as Mike Babock likes his defenders to play the side they shoot.

The last paring on defense is really a toss up of who performs well in training camp and in pre-season. Who knows, maybe one of Sandin or Liljegren breaks into the team.

Next. The Leafs Secret Weapon. dark

This season is definitely one to keep an eye on as there is a go for it mentality in the air as only Rielly is under contract after this season.

Maybe the Toronto Maple Leafs can pull a page from the Raptors book.

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